Chief Executive
£95,000 - £110,000 per annum (depending on experience) Full time (37.5 hours per week)
Recruitment closes on Friday 17 July 2026. This is a four‑stage recruitment process; please ensure you are available on the dates stated below.
St Catherine’s Hospice
After more than ten years of outstanding leadership, our much‑respected Chief Executive is retiring. Thanks to his vision, values and commitment, St Catherine’s is a strong, trusted and ambitious hospice with deep roots in its community, with a clear sense of purpose. We are now seeking an inspiring new Chief Executive to lead us into our next chapter.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to build on a successful legacy, while shaping the future of a vital charity, at a pivotal time for hospices.
Please visit our website to view Giles Tomsett's retirement announcement, our draft Recruitment Finance Information and to see a covering letter from our Chair of Trustees.
About the role
As Chief Executive, you will provide visible, compassionate and credible leadership across the organisation. Working closely with the Board, Senior Leadership team, staff, volunteers and supporters, you will set strategic direction, drive financial sustainability and champion exceptional care for those who need us most.
You will be the primary ambassador for St Catherine’s, developing and managing key NHS and system‑wide partnerships, influencing locally and regionally, and ensuring the hospice remains a trusted, valued partner within an evolving health and social care landscape.
Key priorities
* Values‑led leadership – living and breathing our core values every day, fostering a culture of energy, courage, expertise, connection, and not forgetting Human!
* Strategic delivery – translating our vision into clear priorities that keep St Catherine’s relevant, responsive and impactful
* Financial sustainability – navigating ongoing financial challenges faced by the hospice sector, strengthening income generation and ensuring long‑term resilience
* Partnership & influence – building strong, constructive relationships with NHS partners, other hospices and third‑sector organisations, commissioners and system leaders
* Modern and digitally savvy – ensuring the organisation continues to evolve, embracing digital innovation and using data and technology to improve care, efficiency and reach
* People & culture – empowering staff and volunteers, developing talent and leading change with clarity and empathy
About you
You will be an experienced, credible leader with a strong strategic mindset and a track record of leading complex organisations through change. You may come from the hospice, health, public, voluntary or related sectors, but you will bring clear understanding of partnership working, financial stewardship and the realities of operating in a constrained funding environment.
Above all, you will share our values, believe deeply in our mission and be motivated by the opportunity to lead St Catherine’s confidently into a modern, sustainable future.
This post is offered on a permanent, full‑time basis, working 37.5 hours per week (flexible working patterns would be considered for the successful candidate). At St Catherine’s we offer work from home opportunities, however this is adaptable depending on business need and regular onsite attendance is required. Please note, the successful candidate will be an essential car user, therefore candidates must have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Recruitment process
* Application process closes 17 July 2026
* Shortlisting and testing 20 August 2026
* Presentations to our stakeholders 4 September 2026
* Interview panel 7 September 2026
Employees at St Catherine’s Hospice can enjoy a variety of benefits
* Generous annual leave starting at 27 days, rising to 32 days after completion of probation and 36 days with length of service, plus Bank Holidays, and an opportunity to buy/sell annual leave days. We also offer a day off for volunteering & moving house.
* Generous Pension scheme with up to 9% employer contributions or honour of NHS pension.
* Life Assurance Scheme, Counselling Offering, and a range of discounts.
* Enhanced maternity and adoption pay.
How to Apply
If you join St Catherine’s, you’ll be joining a supportive team all working towards a big ambition: a future where everyone approaching death and those who love and care for them can access compassionate, specialist palliative and end‑of‑life care. If that sounds like something you would find fulfilling, please apply today. For a full job description, please visit our website.
We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone, and we are proud to be a Disability Confirmed Level 2 Employer, committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace. If you need any help completing your application form please contact our HR team.
Terms & Conditions
* This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-privacy-policies for details on how DBS will process personal data and the options available to you when submitting an application.
* Please ensure you have read our employee and recruitment privacy statement prior to applying for this role.
* Must be authorised to work in the United Kingdom; we are unable to offer visa sponsorships.
* All roles at St Catherine’s require completion of mandatory e‑learning training and ongoing compliance throughout employment.
* Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used to support some applications. Please ensure any documentation and applications submitted accurately and truthfully reflect your own experience and suitability for this role.
We are located in Grace Holland Avenue, Pease Pottage, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9SL. You can access the hospice by car, bus, bike or walking; full transport details are on our website.
If you require any additional information or would like an informal discussion with our current Chief Executive, please email jobs@stch.org.uk or give us a call on 01293 447353 and we will arrange this. We operate an internal recruitment function and are not engaging agencies at this time.
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